7633. 'And I will set these My signs in the midst of him' means in order that the evil may recognize that they are ruled by evil, and the good may be enlightened regarding the state of those within the Church who lead an evil life. This is clear from the meaning of 'signs' as corroborations of truths, and so recognition of them, dealt with in 6870, and also enlightenment in them, 7012; therefore 'setting signs in the midst of him' means in order that the evil may recognize they are ruled by evil. As regards the further meaning, in order that the good may be enlightened regarding the state of those within the Church who lead an evil life, this is evident from what immediately follows. There it says, 'And in order that you may tell in the ears of your son and your son's son the deeds which I have performed in Egypt, and My signs which I have set among them', meaning in order that those guided by truth and governed by good may know what happens to the ones belonging to the Church who molest the upright. The fact that those in the next life who molest the upright are people who have belonged to the Church and been acquainted with, yet led a life contrary to the commands that faith prescribes, see 7317, 7502, 7545, 7554.

7299. 'And Aaron's rod swallowed up their rods' means that this power was taken away from them. This is clear from the meaning of swallowing up' as taking away; and from the meaning of 'rod' as power, dealt with above in 7292. From magicians in the next life too the power to misuse order and pervert its laws is removed, in a two-fold manner - 1 The angels, with the Lord's Divine power, cancel the magicians' magic spells, when these are cast to do ill to the upright. The angels' power from the Lord is so great that all such spells are instantly undone. Exodus 2 Magic is removed from them altogether, so that they can no longer accomplish anything of the sort.